Your house could give you more comfort at less cost if your water heater were upgraded. (NAPS)

(NAPSI)—The next time you find you have a too old or already broken
water heater, these tools and advice from the U.S. EPA can help.

Water heaters typically last about 10 years. If your water heater is older
than that, you could avoid a potentially costly and complicated emergency
replacement by taking action now. In many places, utilities offer rebates on
ENERGY STAR certified water heaters, up to as much as $600. With or without a
rebate, choosing a model that’s earned the government’s ENERGY
STAR label can pay you back in energy bill savings.

Water heaters are the second highest energy user in the home, costing a
household of four up to $620 every year to run. Replacing your old, electric
water heater with a heat pump water heater could put a significant dent in
your energy costs. In fact, a family of four can save up to $3,500 in energy
costs over the water heater’s lifetime.

Pointers On Heat Pumps

There are some installation considerations to keep in mind with heat pump
water heaters, but if you already have an electric water heater, it could be
an easy switch.

Will a Heat Pump Water Heater Work
in My Home?

In many homes, a heat pump water heater can be installed right where your
current water heater sits. Heat pump water heaters need:

Access To Air: They pull in air
from the surroundings to heat water and release cold air, so they need access
to plenty of air.

The water heater location should have a room air temperature greater than
40° F year-round and space that’s at least 100 square ft. (10 ft. x
10 ft.) or a smaller space that can be fitted with louvered doors or ducted.

Head Room: Heat pump water
heaters are a few inches to a foot taller than conventional electric water
heaters and require a certain ceiling height based on the size of the water
heater—which is dependent on household size.

The water heater location should have at least a 6-ft.-high ceiling for a
household of fewer than six or at least a 7-ft.-high ceiling for a household
of six or more.

Water Drainage: Heat pump water
heaters require proper drainage, since—like air conditioners—they
dehumidify air and produce condensate that must be removed via a nearby floor
drain, or another outlet using a small condensate pump.

The heater location should have access to one of the following:

• Floor drain

• Utility sink

• Sump pump

• Existing drain pipe

• Outside (only for locations that are above freezing all year
round).